Studios seek the next Comic Strip

Ealing Studios is planning to assemble a comedy troupe to emulate the success of alternative comedy pioneers The Comic Strip.

Talent scouts will be at the Edinburgh Fringe next month seeking a new generation of sketch and stand-up performers to work together.

The idea is to recreate the set-up that made stars of the likes of Rik Mayall, Adrian Edmondson, Alexiei Sayle, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders.

They performed a revue-style show in The Comic Strip club in a seedier part of London's Soho two decades ago, before moving on to a successful series of films for Channel 4.

Ealing Studios is currently undergoing a £50million revamp in a bid to once again become synonymous with English film comedy.

Head of comedy Rob Moore told The Stage: "We are looking for great characters. You never know where the next Mike Myers will appear - and my job is to give comedians opportunities to create things."

The studios are working on their first comedy TV project, though details are being kept under wraps. And Moore added that The Comic Strip performers would not be tied to any exclusive deal.

Ha Bloody Ha comedy club, based on the site, will play its part in finding the stars of the future, too.

It is adding a Thursday night character and sketch-based show to help comedians develop ideas.

Published: 24 Jul 2002